The Rise Of The 21st Century Polaroid

Instant cameras were introduced to the mainstream market in 1948. Although this original camera was really more like a portable dark room, the idea quickly took off and companies like Polaroid and Kodak soon invented their own versions of the instant camera. But, when digital cameras exploded on the market in the 1990s, consumers abandoned the instant camera. Sales slowly dwindled until Polaroid announced they would stop producing film in 2008. Fujifilm tried to pick up the slack, offering their Instax film in North America.

When the online photo sharing program Instagram launched in 2010, the way people took pictures changed once again. Instagram produces square photos that are reminiscent to the old days of instant Polaroids. Square photos became the next big thing, and the market started to cater to the trend. Appropriately, sales for instant cameras have started to rise again too.

With the added benefit of today’s technology, these next generation cameras allow you to do everything from take an instant picture (with zoom) to film video. Herewith, some of our favourite instant cameras available today: